It's been quite a week here at the CowChows. Today the temperature finally climbed a couple degrees above freezing, but last night the coastal region experienced the coldest night in over forty years. Here, where freezing temperatures are normally rare and brief, a week of cold weather accompanied by snow and ice wreaks pure havoc. Even the pelicans are wearing penguin suits to try and stay warm.

We had to make a supply run into town yesterday even though it was the coldest day yet. The Lady BG and I are generally pretty self sufficient and pride ourselves on an ability to make-do in most situations. Maybe it's because I'm no longer a young buck or maybe it's because I've tried enough that I can finally see where a line should be drawn without first having to cross it, but whatever the reason I know there are some things worth braving the elements for. I can make a servicable winter coat from pine boughs and a large trash bag. I don't mind brushing my teeth with a twig and baking soda. I'm convinced that if the situation were dire enough I could even drink instant coffee. But when the cubbard's bare and your only alternative is frozen leaves, it's time to go to town.

Today on the 'CBS Sunday Morning' show there was a segment called "Enter the secret world of the Freemasons." In the segment Mo Rocca goes inside Masonic Lodges and asks questions of Freemasons about the Freemasons. It's pretty good. He doesn't go deep with his questions, but he doesn't go for sensationalism either. It's a simple and honest portrayal of the Craft. You can watch a video of the segment on Masonsmart.com at the link below:

Enter the secret world of the Freemasons

And here is a link to the same video on the CBS Web site:

Watch the video on CBS.

Accompanying the video was an article by David Morgan titled, "9 things you didn't know about Freemasonry." Check it out, too. There may be something there you didn't know. For instance, I didn't know about the Rolling Rock beer bottle thing. Here's a link to that article:

9 things you didn't know about Freemasonry

Hope you have a great week. Hope life is treating you kindly. If it is, return the favor; if it's not, pay it forward.

Fraternally yours,

Tim

For news of upcoming events and special communications visit the Upcoming Masonic Events page on Masonsmart.com

For a calendar of Stated meetings for many of the Lodges and Masonic bodies visit the Masonic Calendar page on Masonsmart.com

For help locating a lodge building visit the Missouri Masonic Lodge Map page on Masonsmart.com

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